Ash tray



March 26,1946. A, WHE ER v 2,397,394

ASH TRAY Filed June 23, 1943 FIG. 4

ARTH UR GORDON WH ELER INVENTOR kTI'ORNEY Patented Mar. 26, 1946 AUN I'IZED STAT: ES ENT OFF I C E TASK TRAY Arthur-Gordon Wheler; Syracuse fN. Y.

-A1iplication June 23, 1943, SerialNo: 491,898

" 10 Claims.

This invention"relates to ash trays 'of the type provided with: a support uponwhich a lighted cigarette may be-temporarilyplaced. Whileparticularly designed for cigarettes,-- theash tray of the present invention may -be made of= a size 'to accommodate cigars-or=both cigars-andcigarettes simultaneously, and referenceshereinafter to cigarettesshould be interpreted to-inc1ude cigars.

- The general-objects of-the present invention are to provide an ash-trey which is safe and convenient for the-smoker-touse,-easy-to-wash or otherwise clean; simp1e and=durablein construction and economical to--manufaoture Among the more specific objects '-of -my -invention are to provide an -ash-=tray-havinga safety-rest for lighted butts; achoke-channel for automatically extinguishing discarded or-neglectedlighted butts, and a substantially-air-tight disposal chamberfor temporarily 'storing -ashes and butts.

Numerous schemes have been proposed for-accomplishing oneand-sometimes -two-of' the specific objects enumerated above-but; so; far as I amaware no one has hitherto successfully combined. all three features in a-simple and sturdy device free;from mechanical gadgets whiche are difficult to keep 'c1ean -andinworking order. For-the safety restfeature, my improved ash 't'ray' relies upon the well knownexpedient of providing a supportso arranged that, should a lighted cigarette placd iipon it be I'leglefitted, "an over bail'ancing bf 'the lighted butt occurrin i'ipbn continued burning" will" result in depositing the butt" in the body" of the ash tray, rather than upon the surface 'ofthesi1pporting table or the like. -Ash traysmave alsobeenTprovided with ch'okechannels' in which aligiited' cigarette which 'itis desired'to"discardmay be placed and will automatically be choked 'or extinguished without need'" for tamping 'or pressin "the lighted end. I" havecornbined these two features in" a'" novel way so that a burning cigarette toppliig 'fr'o'm" a safety rest will be" automatically delivered [into a choke channel, the "saine choke c annel being convenientlyavailable to a'smoker who"vvi'shes to discard a burningbutt. Ashtrays'havemso been made in which aeoverorpartition may be lifted' 'tiltedi or slid awa to dp'o'sitfthe' the accumulatedfiebris in asealed or semi-sealed 'disposarcha'mber. "In some ash trays, a safety rest and a disposal chamber have been combined. In my improved ashtray; I' have combined all three of'j thesei features in a--novel manner so thatthe choke-manner receives ash'es' arid 'biitts from the safety 'restior by dirctdiscarding and may 7 discharge" its contents into the disposal chamber.

--My improved" ash tray; in its preferred "form,

consists of -only 'two' members each'of which may be "readily formed by molding or pressing and may-be made 'o-f 'anv-suitable non-combustible material such as glass; earthenware; porcelain or'plastics: although; ifdesired; my ash tray The outer member constitutes the body of the ash tray and of the disp'osar chamber; and the inner member constitutes a cover for the dispbsalchamber -ahd'incorporates the-"safety rest; the two members "to- 'gether cooperating to' form' the choke channel. The cover member hasaloose sliding fit in the bod memberand' may easilybe lifted a-short distance to deposit the accumulateddebris in the disposal chamber, or may=with equal case be compIeteIyseparated from thebody member to permit emptying of thedisposal'chamber and wash ingor otherwise cleaning-the twomembers.

--Other "obj ects and advantages of; myash tray will-be understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying"drawing, in

which:

Figure 1-- is -a perspective viewof an ashtray according to'= this-invention;

Figure 2'- is a'-- centrar vertical section through the removable cover-meinber taken" on the line '2-2- of Figural;

Figure 3 is; a central vertical section through thebody memberalso taken on the line 2+2 of Figure 1; p I g g 7 Figure 4 is a -sideelevation of the cover meme d Figure 5 is acentralvertioal section through thebody member taken'on the line 55 ofFigure 1.

Referring-moresparticularly; to the drawing, the body membef -l D-isillustrated as being square in top-plan and of hollowbox-like construction. The; upper edges of the walls of v the box are roundedas shown-at H for the-dual purpose of improving the appearance ofythe'ash trayand preventing the-user from balancing a lighted cigarette onone of these edges. {The opposed side walls ['2 of the body member in are provided on their inner faces intermediate their height I with portions I'I formed with vertical edges I8 for guiding the cover member in its vertical sliding movement, and with central notches I9 for receiving projecting portions of the cover,

member.

The cover member is preferably hollowed out at its under side, as best shown at 2| in Figure 2, for lightness and economy of material,

forming depending side walls 22 and end walls 23. The dimensions of the cover member 20 are such that it will have an easy sliding fit between the guides I8 and that the bottom edges of its walls 22 and 23 will seat snugly on the shoulders I3 and I6 respectively, the cover member 20 thus serving to seal the disposal chamber I4. The bottom edges of the side walls 22 are preferably tapered as shown at 24 in order to form a more perfect fit against the sloping shoulders I3. 'Because of this substantially air-tight joint between the cover member 20 and the body member I0, odors are prevented from escaping from the disposal chamber I 4 when the cover 'is in place. g

The upper surface of the cover member 20 is provided with a safety rest 25 in the form of a central rib which is somewhat longer than the cover member and projects at either end into and through a notch I9. The projecting ends 25 of the rib 25 are preferably tapered at their tops as illustrated for the purpose of preventing the seating of a cigarette thereon and also for the sake of appearance. By grasping the projecting ends 26 between a' thumb and finger, the cover member 29 may be conveniently raised either partially or wholly out of the body member I0. The upper surface of the rib 25 is provided with one or more preferably rounded notches 21 of such size as to accommodate a cigarette. The top surface of the member 20 slopes outward and downward away from the central rib 25 as shown at 28. When the cover member'is in service position as shown in Figure 1, its depending side walls 22 cooperate with the shoulders I3 and the side walls I2 of the body member In to form two choke channels 30 of a size'such as to accommodate a cigarette lying lengthwise in a choke channel.

When ,the'device is in the assembled position shown in Figure 1, it will be obvious that a cigarette may be temporarily supported in a notch 21 during an intermission in smoking. Should a lighted cigarette be neglectedthere, it will usually, due to the length and depth of the notches 21, go out when the burning end reaches the notch. Any ash dropping off will usually roll down a sloping top surface 28 and fall into a choke channel30. Should the lighted butt become overbalanced during burning, it will fall out of the notoh'2l and roll down an inclined surface 28 into a choke channel 30, where it will be smothered due to the cooling effect of the walls of by means of the projecting ends 26, the accumulated debris will roll down the sloping shoulders I3 forming the bottoms of the choke channels into the disposal chamber I4.

When it is desired to clean the ash tray, the cover member may be lifted out entirely, the contents of the disposal chamber emptied into a suitable receptacle, and the two members washed or wiped to clean them thoroughly.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the choke channels 30 also serve as temporary collection chambers for butts and ashes pending their discharge into the disposal chamber I4. It will also be observed that the choke channels 30 are so arranged as to receive either cigarettes intentionally dropped therein or due to continued combustion in the safetyrest 25. The ash tray being so designed that lighted cigarettes can be supported for re-use nowhere except in the notches '21, these notches are sure to be used by even the most careless smoker. No messy squashing or pressing with the fingers is necessary to extinguish a cigarette, and the almost immediate extinguishing of a cigarette in a choke channel eliminates a common source of objectionable odor.

As most people object to the unsightly appearance of butts and ashes, I prefer to make my ash tray of opaque glass orplastic material, which renders the contents of the disposal chamber invisible, but transparent material could be used if desired. The two members may be made, if desired, of contrasting colors. r j

The ash tray illustrated is substantially square in top plan, but it will be understood that it may be made rectangular or, indeed, of any other desired form, the essential consideration being that the ash tray have at least one substantially straight side of appropriate length to form a choke channel.

e Other modifications of my ash tray will readily suggest themselves. The drawing correctly shows a hand made ash tray that I have constructed,

but in adapting the designfor commercial manufacture by molding or pressing, it will be understood that the straight walls would be given' draft and the sharp corners illustrated would be rounded, as is common practice in forming articles by molding or pressing. The projecting ends 250i the central rib are convenient for removing the cover member, but said ends 26 and the notches I9 are not essential since the cover member. obviously can be raised simply by grip ping 'and pulling upward the rib 25. The guides I8 are helpful in guiding and centering the cover member 20, but are not essential. The shoulders I6 assist in getting tight sealing of the disposal chamber; but are not. essential, particularly if one is satisfied with a somewhatless air-tight construction. 1 7

Having thus described my invention in the best '2."An ash tray'having surrounding wallsincludin ,twoopposedsubstantially straight side walls,;said walls being so shapedasto discourage balancing a, cigarette thereonytwo substantially straight elongated choke channels of greater depth-and width than the diameter of a cigarette located adjacent saidcside walls, a-separable inher member having. a top surface sloping downward at either side toward .said choke channels,

a cigarette rest located ,on said inner member above andgbetween the oppositely sloping portionsof'said top surface, whereby a cigarette topplin'g out ,ofsaid rest or deposited on said sloping top surface may roll down into one of saidchoke channels, and ,a' sumplocated' beneath said inner memberfibelow the level of said choke channels and constituting a disposal chamber for butts and ashes, said inner ,member being so constructed and arrangedthatwhen in service posi- 1 tion it serves as a cover for said disposal chamber and blocks communication between said choke channels and said sump and that when in separated position it permits discharge of butts and ashes from said choke channels into said sump.

3. An ash tray comprising a body member having surrounding walls including at least one substantially straight side wall, a downward and inward sloping shoulder of greater width than the diameter of a cigarette extending along the inside of said side wall intermediate the height of said wall, a sump within said body member constituting a disposal chamber for butts and ashes and located adjacent the inner edge of said sloping shoulder, a cover member for said disposal chamber supported on said body member for lifting movement relative thereto to provide access to said disposal chamber, said cover member having a side wall extending substantially parallel to said straight side wall of said body member and adjacent the inner edge of said sloping shoulder, the said side walls of said body member and cover member and the said sloping shoulder constitut ing an elongated choke channel adapted to discharge its contents into said disposal chamber upon lifting said cover member, said cover member having a top surface sloping downward toward said choke channel, and a cigarette rest located on said cover member above said sloping top surface, whereby a cigarette toppling out of said rest or deposited on said sloping top surface may roll down into said choke channel.

4. An ash tray comprising a body member hav ing surrounding walls including two opposed substantially straight side walls, downward and inward sloping shoulders of greater width than the diameter of a cigarette extending along the inside of said side walls intermediate the height of said walls, a sump within said body member constituting a disposal chamber for butts and ashes and located between the inner edges of said sloping shoulders, a cover member for said disposal chamber supported on said body member for lifting movement relative thereto to provide access her and adjacent the inner edges of said sloping shoulders, the said side walls of said body member and cover:member,=.and- ;the said, sloping shoulders vconstituting spaced elongated (choke channels adapteds to dischargeg their contentsinto said disposal .zchamber eupon lifting ,=said 560W?! member said cover .memberghaving a top surface slop-ingdownward at= eitherlsi'de, toward said choke channelsand acigarettetrest located .onlsaid cover -=member above said =.sloping stop surface, lwher-eby a cigarette toppling outsofsaid restor deposited -on :said sloping top surface may roll down into one of said choke channels.

*5. #An ash-tray comprising -.a;;body member having surrounding walls including two opposedisub- :stantially straight side walls,; downward and; inwardrslopingashoulders of greater width than-the diameter of a-cigarette ==extending along the inside of said side walls intermediate-the height 0f -saidwalls, a sumptwithin said bodym'ember: cons-tituting a disposal chamber f or butts land ashes and located between the inner edgesofisaid-sloping shoulders, a cover member for said disposal chamberfifitting: withimsaid body memberand removable by :vertical lifting movementto-nprovide accessto said disposal chamber, vsaid cover member having two side walls extending substantially parallel to :said straightsi'dewalls of :said body membenarid aidj'acentthe inner-edges of said-sloping shoulders, the said side walls of said body member and cover member and the said sloping shoulders constituting spaced elongated choke channels adapted to discharge their contents into said disposal chamber upon lifting said cover member, said cover member having a top surface sloping downward at either side toward said choke channels, and a cigarette rest located on said cover member above and between the oppositely sloping portions of said top surface, whereby a cigarette toppling out of said rest or deposited on said sloping top surface may roll down into one of said choke channels.

6. An ash tray comprising a body member having surrounding walls including two opposed substantially straight side walls, downward and inward sloping shoulders of greater width than the diameter of a cigarette extending along the inside of said side walls intermediate the height of said walls, a sump within said body member constituting a disposal chamber for butts and ashes and located between the inner edges of said sloping shoulders, ledges at either end of said disposal chamber extending across between said sloping shoulders, a cover member for said disposal chamber fitting within said body member and having side and end walls seating upon the inner edges of said shoulders and said ledges respectively to tightly seal said disposal chamber and removable by vertical lifting movement to provide access to said disposal chamber, the said side walls of said body member and cover member and the said sloping shoulders constituting spaced elongated choke channels adapted to discharge their contents into said disposal chamber upon lifting said cover member, said cover member having a top surface sloping downward at either side toward said choke channels, and a cigarette rest located on said cover member above' and between the oppositely sloping portions of said top surface, whereby a cigarette toppling out of said rest or deposited on said sloping top surface may roll down into one of said choke channels.

'7. A multiple sump ash tray comprising, in combination, a body and a liftable cover which are arranged to provide, when the cover is closed, a sump which has at least two opposed straight sides and is substantially sealed by the cover, and

also to provide, when the cover is closed, two open and elongate higher sumps which extend longitudinally of and partly overhang said opposed straight sides of the first-mentioned sump, each of which said two higher opensumps increases in depth transversely thereof and of said straight sides of the first-mentioned sump substantially to the upper edge of the adjacent one of said straight sides of the first-mentioned sump, said cover forming one longitudinal wall of each of said higher sumps and having two opposite and substantially straight side edges which meet the opposed longitudinal wall of each said higher sump along the deepest part of the bottom of each said higher sump when the cover is closed whereby'upon lifting the cover relatively to the body, ashes and butts in a higher one of said sumps will slide into the normally sealed lower sumpand will be sealed in the lower sump when the cover is again lowered. V

' -8. An ash tray comprising a body having within its outer confines two opposed and substantially straight upwardly facing surfaces of substaning longitudinally of said edges, and a liftably removable cover wall member for said body fixed 'end to receive said cover wall member therewithin with said body extending upwardly at least substantially as high as the highest parts of said sloping surfaces of the body and said cover wall.

9. An ash tray as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body is of generally rectangular box-like form, opposite ends oflth'e rest project beyond the cover wall member, and the body is notched to receive the projecting ends of the rest.

10. An ash tray as claimed in claim '7, wherein the body has its upper end so shaped as to substantially preclude balancing or resting a cigarette or the like on the upper edge of the body. 7

ARTHUR GORDON 

